Crash/Freeze Fortnite

Can't Build, Stuck in Switch Mode - Fortnite Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 3 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Disable the "Simple Building" option in the Game settings to resolve the inability to build and being stuck in switch mode.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The "can't build, stuck in switch mode" error is a gameplay-interrupting state where the Fortnite client fails to transition from the harvesting tool to building mode. The input system becomes unresponsive to standard build commands, locking the player's interaction state. This error affects all platforms where Fortnite is available, including Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Android. The issue manifests across multiple game client versions, particularly following updates that modify control schemas or building mechanics. This is a common error with a moderate recurrence rate. The severity is classified as game-breaking, as it directly impedes a core gameplay mechanic, placing the affected player at a significant competitive disadvantage. No specific error codes are generated; the failure is indicated solely by the absence of the intended gameplay response.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The primary symptom is the client's failure to execute the build command when the designated keybind or controller input is activated. The player character remains equipped with the harvesting tool despite input to enter building mode. The building menu or quick-bar fails to appear on the HUD. This state persists across subsequent input attempts and often occurs immediately upon landing from the Battle Bus or during mid-game combat scenarios. The game does not crash or display error messages; standard movement, shooting, and harvesting functions remain operational. The interface may visually indicate a mode switch, but the building pieces cannot be placed or selected.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Configuration Error Specific Technical Explanation: The "Simple Building" control option being enabled. This setting alters the standard input flow for initiating building mode, which can conflict with custom keybinds or specific controller input sequences. Why this causes the problem: When enabled, Simple Building attempts to streamline the build process, which can cause the input handler to enter an undefined state if the expected input sequence is not perfectly met, resulting in a mode-switch lock. Category: Configuration Error Specific Technical Explanation: Corrupted or mismatched game configuration files, specifically GameUserSettings.ini. Why this causes the problem: This file stores control bindings and toggle states. File corruption or incorrect permission states can prevent the game from correctly reading the current building mode configuration, defaulting to a locked state. Category: Software Conflict Specific Technical Explanation: Third-party peripheral software (e.g., Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, Steam Input) applying an overlay or remapping that intercepts and modifies the primary build command keypress. Why this causes the problem: The remapped signal may not match the expected scan code or may introduce input latency that desynchronizes the game's internal input state machine. Category: Game Bug Specific Technical Explanation: A latent state error within the game's building state machine triggered by rapidly switching between build, edit, and combat modes while performing other actions like jumping or crouching. Why this causes the problem: The sequence of events can cause the client's internal representation of the player's mode to become unsynchronized with the server's authoritative state, forcing a local lock. Category: Hardware Issue Specific Technical Explanation: A faulty keyboard key or controller bumper/trigger responsible for the build command, registering intermittent or "stuck" keypress signals. Why this causes the problem: The game's input system receives an irregular signal pattern that can be interpreted as a command to lock the current mode, preventing further state transitions. Category: Network Problem Specific Technical Explanation: High packet loss or latency spikes occurring at the precise moment the build command is sent to the game server. Why this causes the problem: The server may fail to acknowledge the mode-change request, while the client may have already visually indicated the change, leading to a desynchronization where the client is visually in one mode but authoritatively locked in another.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Disable Simple Building Option

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: None Steps:

From the Fortnite lobby, navigate to the main menu and select the Settings icon (gear symbol).
Select the Game tab from the left-hand settings menu.
Scroll down to the Building subsection.
Locate the Simple Building option and ensure it is set to OFF.
Exit the settings menu and apply the changes if prompted.
Start a non-competitive game mode (e.g., Battle Lab) to test building functionality.

Technical Explanation: This resolves the conflict between the streamlined Simple Building input logic and the standard building input handler, forcing the game to use the default, more robust state transition system for building mode activation. Verification: In a test match, pressing the designated build key/button consistently transitions from the harvesting tool to building mode, and the building piece selector appears on the HUD.

Solution 2: Reset and Reconfigure Building Keybinds

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None Steps:

In the Fortnite Settings menu, navigate to the Keyboard & Mouse or Controller tab, depending on your input device.
Navigate to the Building section of the keybinds.
Note your current custom bindings. Select the Reset to Default option for the Building category.
Apply the changes and test building in a non-competitive match.
If building functions, re-apply your custom bindings one at a time, testing after each change to identify any conflicting bind.

Technical Explanation: This clears any corrupted binding data stored in memory and resets the input mapping to a known functional state, eliminating conflicts caused by duplicate or undefined bindings. Verification: All building actions (wall, floor, stair, roof) can be performed using both default and, subsequently, custom keybinds without entering a locked state.

Solution 3: Verify Game Configuration File Integrity

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Access to file system Steps:

Close the Fortnite client and the Epic Games Launcher completely.
Navigate to the local Fortnite configuration directory: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient\.
Locate the GameUserSettings.ini file. Rename this file to GameUserSettings.ini.old.
Launch the Epic Games Launcher. Click the three dots under Fortnite and select Verify.
Allow the verification process to complete. This will generate a fresh, default GameUserSettings.ini file.
Launch Fortnite. You will need to reconfigure your audio, video, and control settings.

Technical Explanation: Replacing the potentially corrupted configuration file with a newly generated default version removes any invalid or conflicting entries that were preventing the correct parsing of the build mode state. Verification: After reconfiguring settings, the building mode functions correctly. The old .ini.old file can be deleted after confirming stability.

Solution 4: Disable Peripheral Software Overlays and Remapping

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 7 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: May require software configuration Steps:

Close Fortnite.
Open your system tray (bottom-right corner of Windows) and fully exit any peripheral management applications (e.g., Razer Synapse, Logitech G Hub, Corsair iCUE).
If using Steam, open Steam Settings, navigate to Controller, and select Disable Steam Input for non-Steam controllers or ensure no desktop configurations are active.
Temporarily disable any keyboard macro software.
Launch Fortnite directly from the Epic Games Launcher and test building in a non-competitive mode with all such software inactive.

Technical Explanation: This ensures raw, unmodified input signals are sent directly to the Fortnite client, eliminating conflicts caused by software that intercepts and reprocesses input commands before they reach the game. Verification: Building functions normally with all third-party input software closed. If fixed, reconfigure the software to use a passive profile for Fortnite.

Solution 5: Perform a Clean Boot to Isolate Software Conflicts

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Windows Administrator access Steps:

Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
Navigate to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
In Task Manager, disable every startup item.
Close Task Manager, click OK in System Configuration, and restart your computer.
After restarting, launch only the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite. Test the building functionality.

Technical Explanation: This starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, isolating and confirming whether a background process or service is interfering with Fortnite's input stack or game state management. Verification: If building works in a clean boot environment, a conflict with a background service exists. Re-enable services and startup items in groups to identify the culprit.

Solution 6: Update or Reinstall Input Device Drivers

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Administrator access, internet connection Steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, and select Uninstall device. Check "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" if available. Repeat for Mice and other pointing devices if using a mouse for building.
Restart your computer. Windows will reinstall generic drivers upon reboot.
Alternatively, visit the manufacturer's website (e.g., Logitech, Razer, Microsoft) to download and install the latest official drivers for your specific input device model.
Test Fortnite after driver reinstallation or update.

Technical Explanation: Corrupted or outdated low-level device drivers can send irregular input states to the operating system, which the game may interpret as a continuous or conflicting command, locking the build mode. Verification: Device functionality is restored in Windows, and the building error no longer occurs in Fortnite.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Regularly verify the integrity of game files through the Epic Games Launcher after major updates. Maintain a backup of a known-stable GameUserSettings.ini file. Schedule updates for peripheral driver software and ensure they are obtained from official manufacturer sources. Avoid modifying game configuration files with external editors while the game is running. Monitor network performance using in-game diagnostics (Net Debug Stats) to identify and address packet loss before it impacts gameplay state. Consistently use the "Reset Building Choice" option in settings to maintain a predictable build state.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the error persists across a full game reinstall. Escalation is required if the issue is reproducible on multiple hardware setups with the same Epic account. Provide diagnostic information including DXDiag reports, Epic Games Launcher logs from C:\ProgramData\Epic\EpicGamesLauncher\Data\Logs, and specific timestamps of occurrences. Include a video capture clearly showing inputs and the resulting in-game behavior. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help Center at epicgames.com/help.